Notes: Light travel roster for the Friday trip to Fort Myers. If you’re were hoping to see Chien-Ming Wang, Xavier Nady and Brett Gardner, you’re in luck. … The Yankees will have absolutely nothing going on at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday. Joe Girardi said he thinks the full day off is important. … The battle between Gardner and Melky Cabrera is still too early to call. Gardner hasn’t done anything wrong but Girardi thinks Melky has quietly played pretty well also. … It’s still “definitely possible” both make the team. … Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte are expected back from the WBC on Friday and could play Saturday. … A-Rod left Girardi a telephone message last night and said he was doing OK.

I’m off this afternoon and will have to find a way to entertain myself in the greater Tampa area. Please, let’s keep the suggestions G-rated. So far Clearwater Beach appears to be leading the options. Anthony DiComo is on call with all of the action from sunny Lakeland.

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You are so right that there is a right way and wrong way of doing things. But unfortunately, that is what Mariucci’s team turned into: Bickering and immaturity. The second that Young went down for good that team fell apart. Mariucci lost the team, and then denis erickson put the final nail in the coffin. You have to admit though, that game in 2002 against the giants when garcia engineered that sick comback was one of Owens finest moments. He dominated that second half.

Moss has been ripped by the media, but not the way Mariotti rips Owens. he acts like Owens is the only guy who acts up, and he isn’t even the worst of the bunch. And in truth, Owens is better than all of them, and he comes through in the big spot. You can’t say that about Moss or Johnson. I think he will do well in Buffalo; but I think the lack of winning is going to rattle his caqe up there. I wish the Giants would have dropped Burris and signed Owens. Burris is big time trouble…and he’s on one leg now!

Back to manny, I’m just glad he’s in the NL west….

It is really cool to have this kind of dialogue between the two most intelligent commenters on this blog. It seems that there are some that just cannot match wits with two utterly brilliant induhviduals such as us. It makes them pissy that their IQs can barely hit double digits. They cannot understand the high level of our Intellects.

See? This is why I like Owens. he and I are both arrogant pricks and proud of it.

It’s great that two intelligent people can have an intelligent sports related conversation here. Isn’t that refreshing?

OK, first Owens:

The Cowboy star incident-Funny
George Teague Planting him on the turf-Hilarious
The Sharpie Incident- FUNNY AND creative
Crying about not getting the ball enough and contract issues-you know, sounds like Michale Irvin, Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, Joe Horn, Anquan Boldin, Plaxico Burris and even Jerry Rice had fits where he complained about not getting the ball enough. Rice was even quoted in the early ’90’s that He’d rather have Montana instead of Young (sounds familiar??)

Owens does what every other super star wide reciever has done-make bigtime plays and bitch about not getting the ball enough or bitch about his contract. Randy Moss NEVER Blocks down field; EVER. So you can say that Moss, Ocho Cinco, and even Torrey Holt don’t do their jobs either.

I played 4 years of Semi-Pro ball with and against guys who were in the NFL or in camps with NFL teams. Yelling at coaches and team mates on the sideline happens at EVERY game and every practice. It’s part of the game. The sidelines are total chaos during games, and every team has players that yell and scream (Ray Lewis is notroiuos for his mouthing off to coaches and offensive players. Why is it OK for him, but not Owens? Because the TV cameras don’t follow him around). Yelling at coaches on the sideline is no big deal.

Plaxico Burris shots himself in the Leg, and he still has a team…? Chad Johnson holds out, takes plays off, and changes his name to “ocho cinco”? Randy Moss tries to run over someong, gets kicked out of ND for drugs, and walks off the field against the redskins?

Are you kidding me? C’mon, matt, you can’t tell me that isn’t messed up that these guys aren’t considered a worse catagory than Owens. He NEVER has off the field troubles, except if you consider that overblown case where he had complications from prescription medication (the press was saying he tried to kill himself, which was not true). But, Brian Blades kills his cousin, and he still has his contract.

I have been a 49ers fan since ’88, and a Jerry Rice Fan since ’87 when I was a mere whipper-snapper. I am well aware of the SF 49ers and their history, recent and distant. With what John York has been doing with this team, which is essentially letting every single good player on this team go, do you think that if Owens was the nice and fruity character that everyone thinks he should be York would shell out the Money to keep him? I seriously doubt it. To be Fair, Mariucci was a good coach and I liked him, but Owens “not getting along with him” is not a sign of immaturity (I’d have to say that Burris shooting himself in the leg with and illegally owned gun and then trying to cover it up IS in fact a REAL sign of immaturity) it’s a sign of a coach losing his team because a lot of guys on that team were having problems with Mooch (and what did he do in Detroit?) I’d buy your case that the team wanted him gone because of his constant feud with Garcia and Mooch if Both Garcia and Mariucci weren’t booted shortly after Owens left. And there was NO WAY the 49ers were going to do anything to make owens their priority. They let everyone walk because they didn’t want to pay them. To say that the York-run 49ers organization has any sense of priority is to say that the Bush admisnistration has a firm grasp of international diplomacy.

And the Dallas star incident where he got suspened was not league-sanctioned, it was imposed by Mooch. The League was going to fine him, but not suspend him. And as far as his stints in Philly and Dallas, I personally Hate both teams and I am happy as hell that they went no where with him. If both teams, say, had more compentant coaches and QB’s that didn’t choke on their own vomit during big games, then yeah, I’d say you have a case. Both of those teams are lucky as hell to have even gotten into the play offs, and Owens had an impact on the field with both teams. If I was on the Cowboys and Romo was my QB, I’d be complaining too-he SUCKS and he should never start another game again in the NFL. I have never seen such sloppy QBing in big games (with the exception of a ppuke covered McNabb on in front of 80 million people world-wide). Maybe they would have gotten further in the play offs if Romo wasn’t rubbing Wittin’s fanny and actually threw the ball to Owens a few more times on a slant. You have no idea how many times he just missed Owens open on crucial plays. Owens is a good player, really good player, and compared to the other super-star crap out there, he is a model citizen.

about manny: You know, after looking over your post and my last post, Manny is like all of the worst qualities of all the most obnoxious WR’s in the NFL. He is a bitch of epic proportions. I totally agree with you that he is a rectum; but I disagree with you that the Red Sox would have won anything with out him. The truth is, in 85 years, they won nothing without him, and last year they blew the series to the [devil] Rays. So without Manny, the Red Sox have won nothing. He was the protection in the line up for D-Ort to hit almost .400. And the Dodgers went deeper in the play offs than the Red Sox, and with out manny that is not Happening. But, I’ll have to agree with you about him: He’s a ******; He’s worse than any one esle in sports because of the fact that he plays when he feels like it, he lies, and he doesn’t even take his talent seriously.

You can’t compare Owens to that. Like I said, he blocks down field and NEVER takes off a play. He runs hard each and every down, and he is in the gym working out while other guys are out partying or whatever. He is arrogant, egotistical and narcisitic. the QB has to perform at a higher level or else he is going to get in his face and make him (notice how he never got in Young’s face? Why? Because Young was the only QB he had that ever played up to his full potential). There is nothing Owens said about the 49ers, eagles, or cowboys that is untrue. Wade Philips being a pansy who can’t run a team? You mean to tell me that’s not true?

My conclusion: I’d never want manny on my team, but I’d take TO in heart beat. No question about it.

Matt, you are 85% wrong. TO, contrary to the popular belief, did NOT tear apart the Eagles “team” unity. That team has been a disaster for YEARS before he heven got there. You can blame that on Andy Reid, who should have been fired years ago, and the most overated QB in the NFL, D-Mac. To be fair, you must consider that McNabb had his BEST year with TO as his main guy, and that TO showed up for the SB and lead the team in rec yds, while McNabb Puked and failed in the 4th quarter. So how could you say that the Eagles were successful without him? Without TO, no SB. I know he was injured towards the end of that season, but HE was the biggest reason why they had home Field and why they were even in the game against the Pats. He had a broken leg and he played the friggen game. To me, that’s fanatical commitment. Would McNabb do that? NO.

I try and try and try to find what exactly Owens did to “ruin” the Cowboys, and all I see is BAD pass defense, BAD QBing, BAD special teams, BAD coaching, and BAD media, and BAD leadership. Tony Romo SUCKS worse than a Dirt Devil and he is the biggest cry baby in sports. Soooo…Michael Irvin didn’t Jeoprodize the cowboys in the 90’s with his cocain/prostitute problems? Owens has NEVER been involved with stuff like that.

I will ask you the same thing i ask everyone who says these things about owens: Name specific, unjustified examples of what TO has done or said that has “ruined” team unity. here is what i found:

SF was an organization that was failing it’s fans and it’s players, and TO called them out on it. I think it was wrong that he called Jeff Garcia “gay”. He wanted out of SF and he was 100% correct for doing so. they would have cut him anyway because they would not have been able to pay him. SF actually benefited by him “demanding” a trade instead of getting nothing if he walked.

The eagles are one of the most poorly run, superstar-player driven teams in sports. McNabb runs that team and Andy Reid has NO cajones. McNabb didn’t like how Owens said he was overated and that he needed to perform in the SB instead of going out and getting drunk the night before. He is 100% correct in saying he’d rather have Favre instead. The Eagles were not going to keep him because they wanted to spend the money on Westbrook and McNabb…the entire “controversy” was fabricated

The cowboys are another Eagles-type team. And Parcells didn’t leave because of owens; he left because he wanted to get the hell away from Jones and to run the Dolphins-how many times has he done this, 4? That’s pretty crappy to do: build a team from scratch and then jump ship because you are “bored” or want more power. He did it to the Giants, the Patriots, the Jets, and then the Cowboys. It wasn’t because of “TO”. And TO was cut because the Cowboys could save over $6mm in bonus money they would have had to pay him next year. He’s a cancer? OK. Fine. Now Romo has noone to blame if he throws 18 Ints and the cowboys go 8-8 this year. He blamed TO for all of his failings, not the fact that a 3rd grader can read defenses better than him, nor the fact that he can’t hold a football on the ground, or the fact that he spent more time with Fatso Simpson than he did studying his scouting reports, nor the fact that he NEVER looks off his first receiver, nor the fact that he takes his personal crap out onto the field with him, nor the fact that he is afraid of getting hit and bailsout when ever he gets the slightest pressure. No, no, those things are TO’s fault. Blame it on the one guy who could have actually helped Romo. TO worked his “butt off”, never walked off the field before the gunsounds (Ahem Randy Moss), he never takes a play off (he BLOCKS DOWN FIELD), and wants to play and be the man in big spots. And you can’t use the Manny “took too long to get signed in the off season” argument w/ Owens because it wasn’t even a week when the Bills signed him. There was a list of almost a dozen teams that would have signed him.

oh, and no manny, NO BREAK THE CURSE. Manny was the biggest reason why they won in 2004 (ahem, MVP??). He was also the biggest contributor against the Yankees, more so than the Big Sloppy. I hate them both, BTW….but let’s call it what it is. No Manny, No rings.

And if you want a .240 “nice guy” on your team, then fine, here is what you do:
1) give back your ’77 and ’78 WS rings. That team was filled with the biggest pricks and the biggest cancers in the Majors, yet they still won and everyone loved them because they won. You mean that Billy Martin wasn’t a “cancer”? He has alwasy been a drama story since his days playing with Mantle and Ford!!!

2) OK! Now that the ROD is hurt, cut him and take Mark Loretta. He fits your description of a .240 hitter who is a “good team mate”. and while you are at it, dump Damon and put Nick Swisher in the outfield. He’s a “GREAT team mate and he “can be counted on” to bat .220 w/RISP. But he’s not a “cancer”. He’s more like abag of Doritos-totally irrelevant to the conversation.

I don’t know about you, but 3rd place sucks. you want 3rd place, TAKE IT. I won’t stand for it.

TO and Manny will do well on their new teams. Will they win championships? I wouldn’t bet on it because the teams they went to aren’t that good to begin with.

and if you look at my previous posts, if i was Manny in Boston, I’d want out too. Have you ever been to Fenway? That place is like a big green garbage dump.

And I don’t care where he went, just as long as he’s not in our Division. And I can be quoted as saying that i was not in favor of him coming to McCoombs Dam park I mean New Yankee Stadium.

Paplebon should keep his mouth shut and pitch…why didn’t he say this to Manny’s face or last season to the press…Sox fans know that if Manny had been in Boston Tampa would have been dispatched easily in the AL championship series. Also, Paplebon stated that Sox where 68-41 with Manny (.630) and 39-19 without Manny (.590)…Paplebon obviously failed basic arithmetic…Sox played their best ball with Manny.

Manny won TWO championships with Boston, and the MVP in the first of the two. He also had this ridiculous second half last year and was one of the top reasons why the Dodgers got into the post-season

TO made one of the best catches in playoff history in 98 bouncing back from a terrible game before hand-the biggest reason the 49ers lost to Atlanta the next week was because Garrison hearst broke his leg in like 4 places. (they would have crushed Minnesotta and Denver with a healthy Hearst) Owens also had a huge season for the Eagles before he got hurt. He came back early from a broken leg to the behest of the doctors to play in the Super bowl and caught for over 100 yds. (would Manny EVER do that??). And you can blame that loss on Donovan “can’t hold his cheerios down” McNabb”. And Yeah, I’d rather have Brett Favre as my QB instead (even though I hate both Farrrrty Pants and McNerd). And Tony Romo Should have been cut; I hate to break the news here to people, but fumbling an extra point hold to lose one play off game and throwing crucial, game breaking interceptions to lose another (after he decides to go off on vacation with that airhead jessica simpson 3 days before the game) is a hell of a lot more of a “cancer” than someone who outspokenly criticizes a weakminded, mono-testied coach who has been a failure where ever he goes and a QB who blows games worse than the afformentioned airhead. I’m sorry, but manny was 100% wrong in what he did, but TO was 100% right when protested the Cowboy’s offensive Offensive approach (which is basically throw the ball to Witten and run on 3rd and long and let Tony Romo hold onto the ball for 3 minutes while running around like a headless chicken who doesn’t know what to do with two balls let alone one large one).

I have to clarify and say I loathe Manny as I would a root-canal with no anestetic while Enya blasts in the background. But if two championships and multiple playoff appearances is the definition of a “clubhouse cancer” then, well, you see where I am going with this. I would think that a Ball player who has a career .240 avg w/ RISP is worse for a team than someone who is the most feared right handed hitter in baseball (and as a schizoid rebuttle to my own statements, I will clarify that this is only the case WHEN MANNY DECIDES TO PLAY AND DOESN’T FAKE INJURIES.) and one more comparison to Owens- Owens would play on one leg and would STILL bitch he didn’t get the ball enough.

Papelbum is a real ******. I remember he said that he should be the closer for the all star game. If I remember correctly, he also gave up a run or two when he did come into the game. he always talks alot of crap and it’s funny how he’s nowhere to be found when it all comes back to slap him in the face.
yeah, it takes a real man to say what he said about manny to a magazine. I doubt he said a word to him about it when they were in the same clubhouse. Manny would have grabbed him like that PR guy and shook him around like a ragdoll.

Cody Ransom is another Bubba Crosby/Andy Phillips/Mike Lamb/Wilson Betemit. No one believes he will be around long term, no matter what used car sales Cashman says. Cashman is a good GM but he’ll sell you a car without a motor.

Robert you asked who might released if we added someone? Well there could be a trade involving Swisher, Cabrera or less known name (Kennadia included). Other names that could get signed back to minor league deals (ex. Igawa and Duncan will stay with club not on 40 man roster). In addition to Melancon, we may add Pena to the 40 man roster.
63 Jonathan Albaladejo
67 Anthony Claggett
68 Wilkin De La Rosa
85 Michael Dunn
70 Christian Garcia
39 Dan Giese
71 Eric Hacker
30 David Robertson
72 Juan Miranda
12 Cody Ransom
I don’t know all these people, so Claggett, Garcia and De La Rosa may be unfairly on this list.

What Manny did in Boston was unacceptable but they should never have put up with it. They should have terminated him for insubordination. Manny should have become a free agent. Boston’s fear was that we would sign him if they let him go. They tried to trade him and waive him several times but no one wanted his contract.

Manny will probably replace Matsui once he opts out. I am not saying that because I want it to happen but unless Manny has a terrible year, it likely will happen. Plus I’d much rather have him than Terrell Owens on any of my teams.

Gotta remember there was no love lost between Manny and the Boston press too. A one year deal as a DH when we need one will still be a possibility. He’s definately one of the top five bats in the game today. I hear that all the time!!!

Matt,
Using Papelbon to make a point, really? Lol. Of course most here would agree with Papelbon on that one(never thought I’d say that), Manny is a clubhouse cancer.

But even if he wasn’t, the Dodgers paid 45 million for him, a market where Bobby Abreu got 5 million. And in a bidding war where the Dodgers were bidding against themselves. Imagine all the needs the Dodgers could have filled with that money.

So as dumb as the occasional coment here may be, be glad that Dodgers manageent doen’t post here people. That’s where we get the real idiot opinions.

To both my mate Robert and BPark. Thanks for the heads up. I watched the game versus Cuba, 4-2 up after 7 then a two run by someone who looked as they could afford to lose 40 lbs but still be a little overweight. Commentary catagorised him as a catcher which just did not appear to suit his frame. None the less a tough loss. I will along with half a dozen converts watch the game against Mexico today Thursday commencing 2 PM our time. They did it easy last time so, hopefully they can do it again. The series is getting some coverage here, but that is typical of us Australians, give the sport absolutely no coverage, then when they have a win as they did everyone wants to jump on board as though they have supported the game all their life.

Two things Sabbathia was dissapointing today but it is Spring, Joba was A+ yesterday, upping his fast ball to mid 90S with some great curves and one terrific slider. My assessment keep him in the rotation forever end of story. He has come up as a starter, has the goods of a starter.

Lastly B Park I noticed you copped some flack from PG Garrett whoever, his comments I thought were out of line and uneducated.

Aussie Bryan

By kbp on March 11, 2009 7:09 PM
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Well you’re an expert at being uneducated you intellectually challenged genius!!!!

By pgarrett@aol.com on March 11, 2009 7:14 PM
Aussie B, on 2nd thoughts I agree with PG Garrett

MM,
The big problem with adding anyone is who gets dropped from the 40Man? A-Rod should be back too soon to go on the 60Day DL. Even adding Berroa forces a move. Can we afford to lose someone DFAed? I’d rather make that move to add Melancon!

Can we all try and act in a professional and constructive manner ? I do find quite a lot of the trash, sledging a little boring. Yes well have an opinion and are entitled to that opinion and yes opinions differ. The fact that ones opinion differs to another is what constuctive debating is all about. There is no logic to resorting to what is childish abuse when expressing such differences.

I cannot speak for all but I enjoy the blog as a whole and as a means to LEARN as much about the game and the players. Yes we would all like our fantasy team to be the make up of The Yankees but IT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
We are all nobodies me certainly included and there has to be some trust that management and ownership are doing the best they can. I with what has been observed would like to see all parties in some bar in NYC or wherever the conversation would be stimulating and indeed interesting.
Surely all and sundry can call atruce and get on with just expressing views and hopefully learn from each other.
Lord knows the world we live in needs some love.

BP,
The big difference is that Brackman was signed to a major League contract. The others are just on minor league deals. No one can claim Brackman until his options are used up and the yankees need to move him. Can’t see that happening unless he’s a bust after surgery!

MM,
The big problem with adding anyone is who gets dropped from the 40Man? A-Rod should be back too soon to go on the 60Day DL. Even adding Berroa forces a move. Can we afford to lose someone DFAed? I’d rather make that move to add Melancon!

Matt, give it up. Stay on point. I have always said I don’t want Bonds. I don’t know if Keyshawnwahilli is your alias or not but obviously not all Yankees fans post here and many would or have wanted Bonds and there were people on here last year saying to get him. AGAIN FOR YOUR CLARIFICATION ONLY: I DON’T WANT HIM AND HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT

“That burned piece of meat you call a brain ” is making you delusional!

Holy Cow I love that Insult! I guess you’d have to have a brain that is a charred piece of cow flesh to think that Bonds, Bernie, or Pedro should be on this team. That would simply crack me up to see that.

And why is Bernie playing again? he is a hell of a Guitar player and he has a great music career ahead of him. How many other players can say that? he drives me crazy because it never seems like he can make up his mind.

Oh, and I hear this thing about Mark Loretta for 3rd base until the ROD gets back…what do you wild-and-crazy-kids think about that?

Someone will probably report me again saying I started this as usual. All I did was defend Keyshawnwahilli’s right to have an opinion and that many Yankees fans probably agree with him. I don’t want Bonds but alot of Yankees fans probably have at different times and even when we struggled last year. This is typical Yankee thought go grab the biggest bat available even if their washed up.

Aussie B, Rocketman will log on soon and back up Garrett, I strongly believe it is Matt. Surprising considering I have had no issues with him lately. However it seems like whenever there is a disagreement the 3 of them and King of ny appear.

Robert, I don’t know if it was something you read or something you summized but apparently Luis Sojo got wind of it and Pudge was taking groundballs at 3B. Maybe he knew that no one wants him as a catcher but I read alot into this because Sojo has worked for the Yankees organization in a similar role as Tino.

To both my mate Robert and BPark. Thanks for the heads up. I watched the game versus Cuba, 4-2 up after 7 then a two run by someone who looked as they could afford to lose 40 lbs but still be a little overweight. Commentary catagorised him as a catcher which just did not appear to suit his frame. None the less a tough loss. I will along with half a dozen converts watch the game against Mexico today Thursday commencing 2 PM our time. They did it easy last time so, hopefully they can do it again. The series is getting some coverage here, but that is typical of us Australians, give the sport absolutely no coverage, then when they have a win as they did everyone wants to jump on board as though they have supported the game all their life.

Two things Sabbathia was dissapointing today but it is Spring, Joba was A+ yesterday, upping his fast ball to mid 90S with some great curves and one terrific slider. My assessment keep him in the rotation forever end of story. He has come up as a starter, has the goods of a starter.

Lastly B Park I noticed you copped some flack from PG Garrett whoever, his comments I thought were out of line and uneducated.

Try to predict Yanks record after first 20 games??? I say 7-13…..Why? CC slow starter, Texiera is a slow starter, A-rod is out but he usually has great Aprils, Posada might need time to work into catching. Canu was real bad last April, Mariano usaully has a few the beginning of the year, then hes lights out the rest of the year. Don’t get me wrong Yanks may have monster season and 20 games compared to overall doesn’t mean much but I’m a little worried about the start and if you factor in that “all” teams think they have a shot early in the year and play thier ***** off.
I don’t know what do you guys and gals think?

Yanks seem listliss to me… just bring in any reliever and the games over…a or AA doesn’t seem to matter.; I think its a reflection on the lack of real position players the yanks have in thier minor leagues. They are just easy outs. I’m not talking about a Montero, jackson, and gardner but some of these other guys should be showing girardi something. Guys have to hit with runners on this year, we can’t leave 15 guys a game on base. When a team gets 19 hits and can’t win a game, whats up with that. I do like some of the young arms though, especially in the bullpen.
Got to put the ball in play with runners on and get hits with 2 outs. batting ave don’t mean ssit, its situational hitting that counts. Duncan has hardly played and he leads the team with 6-7 rbis. Mayberry and Howard on the Phils both have 10 rbi’s for the spring. Drive in some runs, dudes?

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